Ok, so this is very possibly the most difficult beauty product to do justice for on photograph ever. Illamasqua’s Hemlock Nail Polish was originally released as a limited edition as part of the Freak collection, but for AW13 it’s back again and hopefully this time it will hang around a bit longer, as it’s a bit special!

Here it is swatched directly onto nails, it’s very difficult to capture the full effect, so I’ll do my best to describe it too. Hemlock Nail Varnish from Illamasqua is a super glossy, sheer, irridescent shade which to me reminds me of the pearly shimmer that you see on the inside of a shell. It’s got a clear base but reflects green, bronze and pink pastel shimmer, very magical.

The Illamasqua Hemlock Nail Varnish is however, not the easiest shade to wear on it’s own, so I’d recommend using it as a special effects top coat over other nail colours and designs. For a subtle look it would look great to give a Illamasqua twist to a French Manicure, but for a colour lover like myself, I’ve been wearing it over the top of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure is shade 450 Fairy Teal, which I’ll be reviewing on it’s own very soon.This shade is a beauty, it’s subtle and versatile. It reminds me also of Models Own Indian Ocean and Illamasqua Bacterium. As always, I love the Illamasqua packaging and the quality is very good.